Apparatus for recovering precious metals from refractory ores.



, N0. 694,350. Patented Mal'. .4, |902. H. H. CASSEL. APPARATUS FORBECVERING PRECIOUS METALS FRMRE'FRACTORY GRES.

I (Application med June 12, 1901.)

(No Model.)

Inl/emr Q Gmb s n n ls Ps-rgnsoo. moro-upm. wnsmum'nu n c plate c isnotched' or recessed at both ends,

UNITED STATES PATENT EEICE.

IIENRY R. CASSEL, OF NEW YORK, N.l Y.

APPARATUS FOR RECOVERING PRECIOUS METALS FROM REFRACTORY ORES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 694,350, dated March 4,1902. v

Serial No. 64,199. (No model.)

To all whom, t may concern:

Be it known thatI, HENRY R. CASSEL, a citizen of the United States,and aresident of New York city, county and State of New York,have inventedcertain new and useful Improvements in Apparatus for Recovering PreciousMetals from Refractory Ores, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to an improved apparatus for carrying intopractice a process for recoveringprecious metals from refractoryores-such as tellurides, sulfids, or other compounds containing them-andfor which an application for apatent has been filed by me on even dateherewith under Serial No. 64,198.

In the accompanying drawing Figure 1 is a vertical transverse section ofmy improved apparatus on line 1 l, Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a side elevation,partly broken away, of the same; Fig. 3, a transverse section of twoadjoining lining-plates c; Fig. 4, a detail cross-section through theshaftc' on line 4 4, Fig. 5; and Fig. 5, a section on line 5 5, Fig. 4.

The letter a represents a vat of suitable dimensions and provided withopenings,valves, or taps b for the discharge of the pulp.

The inner face of the vat a is lined with carbon plates or blocks e,that form an electrode. The inner or exposed side of each as at c', sothat when the plates are placed side by side parallel grooves are formedat the joints for the reception of metallic conducting-strips d. Thesestrips extend over the joints and are secured to the plates by means ofbolts e and nuts e', they being thus readily accessible for the purposeof replacement and repair. The strips d are covered within the groovesby layers of cement f, which protect them against the electrolyticaction. They receive the current from a dynamo orothersource ofelectricenergythrough wire g and convey it directly to the carbonlining. Between the carbon lining and the side of the vat a I interposea backing of cement 7L, which serves to properly connect the parts,prevent leakage, and to increase the stability of the electrode.

Across the vat a extends an insulated metal shaft z', driven by pulleye. To this shaft are affixed the radially-proj ectin g stirring-blades,

which are composed of a metal arm or corej and of carboncovering-platesj, that constitute the second electrode. The carbonplates j project beyond the edges of the arms j, and the surroundinggroove thus formed is filled in with cement, as at lo, so that the armsj are completely covered up. The arms j are connected to the shaft t' insuch a manner by bolts or otherwise that the electric current passesfreely from contact i2 through the shaft and arms to the carbons.

In operation the ore converted into pulp by the admixture of watercontaining sufficient salt torrernder it conductive is charged into thevat while the stirrers are revolved. Simultaneously the current isturned on to decompose the ehlorid of sodium until the refractoryelements in the pulp'are sufficiently oxidized and the gold is set freeand dissolved, the current precipitating the dissolved gold in the formof a black powder. A suitable solvent, such as cyanid of potassium, isnow added to redissolve the gold, which is then separated from the pulpand precipitated for final recovery.

The current is preferably reversed from time to time or analternatingcurrent is used,

` which assists in preventing the precipitation of the gold on theelectrodes, causes it to remain in the pulp, and keeps the electrodesclean.

l. In an apparatus for electrolytically recovering precious metals fromores, the combination of a Vessel with a lining composed of groovedcarbon plates, and of metal conducting-strips contained within thegrooves of said plates, substantially as specied.

2.J In an apparatus for electrolytically recovering precious metals fromores, the combination of a vessel with a lining composed of groovedcarbon plates, a backing of cement between the vessel and lining, metalconducting-strips within the grooves of said lining, and a cementcovering above the metal strips, substantially as specified.

3. In an apparatus for electrolytically re-` covering precious metalsfroni ores, the combination of a vessel with a rotatory insulated shaft,metal arms projecting radially therefrom, carbon plates projectingbeyond the arms, and a cement Iilling between the plates ICO lining,metal conducting-strips Within the grooves of said lining, a cementcovering 15 above the strips, an insulated shaft, metal arms projectingradially therefrom, and a carbon coveringafxed to said arms, substantially as specified. Y

Signed by me at New York city, county and zo Y State of New York, this10th day of June, 1901.

HENRY R. CASSEL.

Witnesses:

WILLIAM SCHULZ, F. v. BRIESEN.

